[ INSPIRATIONS PRINT + PATTERN ] KUKKA by Laura Luchtman - A/W 2015-16 CAMO CHAMELEON

FV contributor Laura Luchtman from Kukka  [INSPIRATIONS + PRINT ] series. Laura's background is in the field of Surface/Textile Design and Fashion Illustration and specializes in Bodyfashion.  Note her very own print design on the bottom of the trend board.  Visit her site Kukka.com. 

TRENDS // PATTERNBANK - PREMIERE VISION & INDIGO SPRING/SUMMER 2015 PRINT TREND REPORT

Patternbank is an exceptionally great resource with over 20 years in the print, graphics and fashion industry. Their global research brings you essential inspiration ideas for graphics, prints and patterns, making Patternbank a valuable resource and intelligence tool for any business, designer or buyer.  To stay informed of their reports, sign up for the Patternbank Weekly Digest here.  

Here is their latest Premiere Vission & Indigo Spring/Summer 2015 Print Trend Report.  You can also order/preview  Print Trend Report Part II Spring/Summer 2015.  You can order their report here and for Part I here.

In this extensive new PDF report, Patternbank brings you the essential Spring/Summer 2015 print trend information seen at February’s Première Vision and Indigo shows in Paris. Our trend team were on hand to capture all the seasonal key points. This report brings you the key print trend insights from the show, making this report an indispensable intelligence tool for your seasonal print developments.

• 12 Première Vision print trends for Spring/Summer 2015

• 48 pages of inspirational print forecast intelligence

• Over 150 on trend hand-picked images

• Indigo Salon Spring/Summer 2015 Print Trend Themes

• Première Vision Colour trends for S/S 15 with TCX Pantone references

• $70 via PayPal

This 48 page report includes 12 inspirational print trends :-

African Lux / Bloomsbury / Botanical Plates / Distorted Check / Experimental Accident / Fantasy Floral / Linear Scribble / Micro Geometric / Simple Flowers / Skins & Scales / Tampered Stripe / Tropical Bold

Whether you are a small print studio, independent freelance designer, manufacturer or clothing line, this extensive report will give you a real insight into the most important print trends for Spring/Summer 2015. This new improved PDF report will be your essential seasonal aid for your new print developments and colour direction.

ILLUSTRATIONS / EVENTS // MASTERED WITH FASHION ILLUSTRATOR JACQUELINE BISSETT

Whether you're looking to improve your fashion illustration portfolio, get personal feedback from a top illustrator or develop your own signature illustration style, we've just discovered a new online fashion illustration course taught by Jacqueline Bissett that we think you'll love. 

Jacqueline Bissett has worked with brands a host of top brands from Givenchy to Tatler and is known for her bold use of watercolours. The course teaches you insider ticks and trips to help you draw more sophisticated illustrations including mastering different cuts, drapes and silhouettes. You get personal critiques from Jacqueline, as well as the opportunity to win a month's mentoring from her. Jacqueline has been in the business for 27 years, so learning from her is Ideal if you'd like to make a career from fashion illustration.

You'll love the course if you're looking to perfect your illustration skills to communicate your designs and collections or you want to develop your portfolio to get more, top quality illustration work. You also get access to a personal coach who will help you with business and career advice.

The course is £120/$195 for lifetime access and you can start a free trial to explore it here: 

https://www.mastered.com/courses/jacqueline bissett

© Jacqueline Bissett - all rights reserved.   Layout may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, photocopying, or otherwise, without prior written permission from the fashion illustrator via Mastered. 

TRENDS // FASHION SNOOPS - WOMEN'S AND MEN'S - SPRING/SUMMER 2015

Here is a preview of FASHION SNOOPS',  Spring/Summer 2015 Men's and Women's trends.  Fashion Snoop is an online forecasting trend service that reports on color, design themes, key items, details, etc., for women's, men's, kid's and accessories.  To learn more and subscribe to their services, go here to view their amazing site and check out their inspiring blog. You can also purchase a full report of each of the key trends, here .

    AVANT POP    

Avant Pop combines bright hues with abstract art, and bold prints with daring patterns. The expressive theme sees eye-popping visuals fuse with surrealist imagery, and experimentation in art and design presents unlikely juxtapositions. Asymmetric silhouettes and pop art faces are accentuated by jewel embellishments for a 3-dimensional appeal, while textured fabrics, bright colors, outlandish motifs and mixed media elements create a walking art gallery.

    STREAMLINE    

A minimalist approach to design is defined in Streamline, where sophisticated, simple silhouettes create an ultra-modern appeal with a relaxed, athletic influence. Parachute nylon, mesh and foamy textures are colored with soft, muted tones, and are accentuated by transparent layers, contrast trims and industrial zippers. Cotton shirting and organza add further interest, while subtle styling creates a refined expression of the slick aesthetic.

    ARTISANAL    

There's an inherent sense of tradition and ritual in our Artisanal theme, as repeated geometric patterns and linear border designs create a majestic visual appeal. Rich, jewel-tones are infused with intricate florals, while lace, suede and jacquard fabrics help to evoke the elaborate nature of the trend. Texture becomes one of the most important qualities, and artisanal accents like fringing and embroidery create a luxurious look and feel.

    THRIFT SHOP    

Retro inspiration shifts into a new direction with Thrift Shop, effortlessly combining classic comfort with a polished aesthetic. A vintage-hued color palette mixes with pops of kitschy color in conversational prints, while materials such as french terry, crisp poplin and faded denim feature heavily. Patterned fabrics create a craft-inspired look, and suede patchwork complements artful embroidery for a new spin to the thrifty feel of the theme.

DESIGN COMPETITION // SDBI - EUROPEAN FASHION AWARD - FASH 2015

   SDBI.DE   

FREEDOM

Childhood, sport, fashion, philosophy or politics – freedom has a lot of dimensions. It is the foundation of humanity and the heart of citizenship, whether you consider the French Revolution or East Germany’s Monday demonstrations under the motto “We are the People”. And yet, freedom is subject to the changing values and standards.

On one hand, just about everything is allowed these days, the multi-faceted character of life is obvious everywhere thanks to globalization. On the other hand, the many accomplishments of an open society and basic rights such as privacy are under discussion again. Digitalization is a particular challenge; its technologies develop faster than our culture. While it allows an increase in efficiency, economy and safety, it is often accompanied by increased scrutiny, uniformity and expected submission.

Freedom plays a special role in Berlin, the new home of the Stiftung der Deutschen Bekleidungsindustrie (German Fashion Industry Foundation) , in short SDBI. Berlin was the capital of the Nazi and SED regimes, the Iron Curtain, yet also the place where the Berlin Wall fell and many social and artistic experiments have been held over the years.

The European Fashion Award FASH 2015 on the topic of “Freedom” is searching for fashion as an expression of attitude: social utopia, poetic symbol of protest, or escape from the everyday routine.

PRIZES

The European Fashion Award FASH 2015 will be presented in two categories. The award purse totals 10,000 Euro.
Students: 1st Prize: 2,500 Euro / 2nd Prize: 1,500 Euro / 3rd Prize: 1,000 Euro
Graduates: 1st Prize: 2,500 Euro / 2nd Prize: 1,500 Euro / 3rd Prize: 1,000 Euro

The jury reserves the right to present special mentions. These feature a cash prize of 500 Euro.

As an addition form of special honor the jury may decide to permanently include selected documentations and presentation charts into the Archive of the Stiftung der Deutschen Bekleidungsindustrie.

The European Fashion Award FASH 2015 will be presented at the Berlin Fashion Week. All winners will receive professional photo shoots and media work.

Each winner receives its own microsite on www.sdbi.de.

The jury reserves the right to distribute prizes in a different manner as shown in the competition information.

Submission Deadline:  September 12, 2014

To learn more and to submit your designs, go here.

TRENDS // COLORWORLD (CSI + DYSTAR) - FALL/WINTER 2015-16 COLOR INSPIRATIONS - WOODSY

COLOR SOLUTIONS INTERNATIONAL is a color resource provider in partnership with DYSTAR, a textile coloration specialist provide consultancy in all areas of coloration and finishing technology. Here is a collaboration of their recent color trend board,  WOODSY, a Fall/Winter 2015-16 color mood board direction for the season. To learn more about these two expertise's, go here. 

      WOODSY - FALL/WINTER 2015-16 COLOR DIRECTION   

In somber, quiet woods, late autumn afternoons

The shadows fall in inky blue and misty green

Declining sun reflects in murky waters

Somewhat surreal and very much in watercolor

And only sudden pops of color

Reveal what lies beneath the frozen leaves

A reminisce of lasting beauty

Contained in fragile filigree of gentile flowers

[ INSPIRATION + ILLUSTRATION ] series by MELANIE BOYCHUK

Here is the latest Inspiration + Illustration series by Melanie Boychuk, illustrator contributor for FV. Here, she shows you her source of inspirations to create her illustration from Elle Canada.

You can also check out her website, missmel.com to view more of her work and to contact her if you need an illustrator for any projects.  To also view her past illustration posts on FV, go here.

©MELANIE BOYCHUK illustration and Fashion Vignette layout. All rights reserved. No part of these images may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, photocopying, or otherwise, without prior written permission.

TRENDS // THE WOOL LAB - SPRING/SUMMER 2015

The Woolmark brand is the world’s best-known textile fibre brand and is owned by The Woolmark Company, the world’s leading wool textile organization. The value of the brand is well established and highly regarded across the world in the apparel, interior textiles and home laundry sectors. To learn more about the company and brand, go here. 

The Wool Lab, a seasonal guide to the most inspiring wool trends and best products, is created to inspire and inform fashion professionals regarding the infinite potential of Merino wool. A trendbook and a sourcing guide, the tool is the result of extensive research undertaken by The Woolmark Company through its global network to select the best wool products worldwide and identify the emerging trends emerging from fashion, design, art, pop culture, music and other fields.

The Wool Lab is created each season in collaboration with the world’s most innovative and quality-oriented spinners and weavers. It is a collection of the most beautiful wool products, commercially available, and in line with the leading fashion and textile trends.

The tool is available free of charge and upon request for designers, manufacturers, retailers, fashion and apparel brands and to all the professionals of the fashion industry, to provide a concrete sourcing service, putting them in contact with the world’s best wool suppliers.

Below is a preview of some of their Spring/Summer 2015 guide, Aussie and Freeport. You can view the entire seven inspirational themes here for both Men's and Women's.

AUSSIE

Inspirations

Inspired by the genuine country life of Australian farmers, against the backdrop of the outback and its landscape. A simple and practical style made of trousers, shirts and coats for both men and women, with a colour palette that recalls the thousand warm shades of the earth at the sunset. A rediscovery of the wool fibre applies to this urban wear, especially for its thermoregulation qualities which make the fibre ideal for the warmer months of summer. The look is worn and washed with innovative and long-lasting treatments for the fabrics.

Materials

Wool blended with cotton and other vegetal fibres such as hemp, linen or silk. Small prints on jersey for women's shirts. Chambray, twill, panama, waffle and soft double gauze for the fabrics. Colour coating effect and long lasting treatments. The fabrics' look is mostly worn and washed.

FREEPORT

Inspirations

This theme is inspired by the sailing world and honours its sporty and high-performance clothing. Functional garments that express a dynamic and fun approach to a life that is devoted entirely to the sea. This passion is also reflected thorough the colour palette that is influenced by lighthouses and buoys, and through the finishing treatments that are aged and worn.

Materials

100 per cent wool, wool/cotton or wool/nylon blends also for the technical fabrics. The structures and patterns of the fabrics embody this sporty and lived life through worn and washed effects, film coloured coating, bonding.

DESIGN COMPETITION // FRONT ROW SOCIETY - PORTRAITS

CREATIVE BRIEF

Submission Deadline: 31 March, 2014, 6pm CET
Voting Starts: 01 April, 2014, 6pm CET

As human beings, we all share a natural fascination for the lives of others. It’s partly why there’s something so wonderfully appealing about portraits; they allow us to study the faces and expressions of total strangers at our leisure. A raised eyebrow, a slight smile: whether it’s the selfie your cousin snapped of herself over the weekend, or Da Vinci’s iconic “Mona Lisa”, all those little details can create a complex personality in our minds.

So that’s why we want you to delve into portraiture for this month’s scarves challenge! Explore delicate facial contouring, focus on a particular facial feature, or abstract the concept of a portrait altogether – it’s your call. You can use any mix of media you choose, so what are you waiting for guys? It’s time to “face” the music!

This competition is for scarves. As always, don't forget that your print might need to be adjusted to fit the appropriate template. All templates are marked with design specifications to help you get your design just right. Please note that all FRS templates may differ slightly from final manufacturing specifications, so make sure your print is versatile and flexible enough for production.

What can you win?

Each winner receives a one-off immediate prize of 200€ . plus one of their products when it arrives in stock. But that is not all - each & every time we sell 500 pieces of your design, you will receive an additional €200. This means that FRS can continue to embody the spirit of fashion democracy, rewarding our top designs again...and again...and again! We will also conduct an interview with the winner, publicizing their design across the fashion community in Berlin and worldwide.

To learn more and to submit your designs, go here.

TRENDS // MM TRENDS - AUTUMN/WINTER 2015-16

MM offers custom-adapted trend consultancy on colour and style for fashion and interior. To visit their trend right and informative site, go to mmtrends.com . 

A collaboration between designers, scientists and many more, sharing ideas to establish a footprint and ongoing research to support the environmental reasons: material consumption, quantity of waste, transportation etc..  

Below is a preview of their Autumn/Winter 2015-16 Colour Forecast, go here to view the full report 

After decades of raw and roaring individualism, we see a turn away from the belief that one unique creative mind will manage to innovate and create on his own. The auteur is dead. The collaborative individual is born.

We have realised that teamwork and the formation of groups of creative likeminded are not only a powerful tool towards higher achievement; collective efficacy will also boost our aspirations, motivational investment, integrity, morale, and resilience to challenges.

Co-creation, crowd-funding and other methods of joining efforts to reach a common goal have proved that collaboration itself is a field of innovation. We rapidly discover brand new ways of locating that perfect match between unique, creative individuals across geographic, professional, technical and academic boundaries.

One truth remains: It is amazing what you can achieve when you work hard, but it’s nothing compared to what you can achieve when you work together.